Methodology and apparatus for a flexible back exfoliator

ABSTRACT

One possible embodiment for the invention could be a surface-mounted flexible back exfoliator. The flexible back exfoliator could generally comprise a flexible mounting portion, a flexible exfoliation pad, and a flexible locking device. The flexible mounting portion could be a two-sided pad with at least one side generally presenting one or more flexible attaching devices for reversibly securing the flexible mounting portion to a surface of a washing area. The other side of the flexible mounting portion, through the locking device, could generally provide for attachment of the flexible exfoliation pad to the flexible mounting portion. The flexible exfoliation pad could generally be a flexible perforated envelope containing a flexible absorbent pad. The flexible absorbent pad could generally dispense liquid(s). The flexibility of the invention could generally allow it to be generally applied to a non-planar surface and be compacted for easy transport.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED

RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to back exfoliators and morespecifically to those back exfoliators, which may generally be flexiblymounted on surface(s) of a washing area

BACKGROUND

Taking care of the skin, the largest organ of the human body, isgenerally considered important to overall health of the person. One ofthe ways of taking care of the skin could be the regular cleaning of theskin, particularly, through exfoliation. Exfoliation could be considereda process wherein the skin could be scrubbed with an abrasive-typedevice to basically foster the disassociation (e.g., loosening) and theremoval of undesired containments and impurities of the skin such asdead skin cells, dirt, grease, bacteria, and the like. This scrubbingcould be accompanied in at least some instances with a flushing of thescrubbed skin with a liquid (e.g., such as water, a soap and watercombination, and the like) to assist in the removal of the loosenedcontaminants. It is also generally believed that the removal of suchdead skin cells fosters the generation of new skin cells, which isgenerally believed to be beneficial and healthy for the skin.

Exfoliation could be accomplished through the use of a scrubbing deviceupon the skin. The scrubbing device could include, but not be limited toa brush with stiff bristles, a perforated or mesh-like material bundledtogether, or any other suitable device whose surface was a rough,irregular or otherwise abrasive.

Due to the general limitations of the articulation of the limbs of thehuman body, a person could have some trouble reaching and touching hardto reach areas of his or her back with the scrubbing device to performexfoliation. To extend their reach to the hard to reach areas of theback, a person could employ a long handled scrubbing device or the like.However, due to the generally awkward motion of reaching backwards tooperate such a long handled scrubbing device, the force applied could beinsufficient for a through and proper exfoliation.

Another possible solution for exfoliation of the hard to reach areascould be use of a back exfoliator (e.g., back exfoliation device), whichis generally vertically mounted to a surface of washing area. A personcould generally lean and rub his or her back against the back exfoliatorto exfoliate the hard to reach area(s) of the back. Possible limitationsto this solution could be seen in the means of attachment used to mountthe back exfoliator to a generally vertical surface of a washing area.Such attachment means, generally tending to be permanent orsemi-permanent in nature, could fix the back exfoliation device at aheight for use by initial or particular user. This height placementcould force subsequent other users (who could be taller or shorter thatthe initial or particular user) to either slouch or stand on their toes(possibly in discomfort) to properly employ the fixedly placed backexfoliation device. Further, if permanent or semi-permanent attachmentmeans are employed, this may prevent the original user (and others) fromutilizing (and mounting) the back exfoliator with (to) other washingareas in which user(s) may have access (e.g. a hotel bath, gymnasiumshower, and other washing facilities).

Additionally, various attachment means for mounted back exfoliatorscould be seen as being generally limited for use on a planar or flatsurface. If a washing area has one or more non-planar surfaces, e.g.,generally curved surfaces or two or more planar surfaces that do notgenerally lie in a common plane, many attachment means may generallylack the necessary flexibility to attach the back exfoliation device tosuch surfaces of the washing area. An example of a non-planar surface(s)could be curved surfaces which may generally found in a bathtub. Here,the operator wishing to sit in (or lie in) and exfoliate in a bathtubwould generally not be able generally attach a back exfoliator to sidesand bottom of the bathtub that generally can be seen to have suchnon-planar characteristics.

There is a therefore, a need for a flexible back exfoliator that can beeasily transported as well as be easily and reversibly mounted to planarand non-planar surfaces of washing areas. The flexible back exfoliatorshould also be readily compacted for transportation to differentlocales. The mounting of the flexible back exfoliator to the surfaces ofthe washing area should be easily adjusted to meet the placementrequirements by two or more users of different heights.

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Advantages of One or MoreEmbodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do notnecessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

provide a back exfoliator that is flexible,

the ability to generally reversibly secure a back exfoliator to one ormore non-planar surfaces of a washing area;

provide a back exfoliator that has ability to resist the growth ofmicroorganisms on its components;

provide a back exfoliator that does not generally require modificationof a surface of washing area for attachment to the surface of thewashing area;

provide a back exfoliator that can be reversibly secured to non-planaras well as non-planar surfaces of washing areas; and

the ability to be easily placed into a compact state for storage andtransport.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

Brief Description of One Embodiment of the Present Invention

One possible embodiment of the invention could be a flexible backexfoliator comprising of at least a flexible exfoliation pad connectedby a flexible locking device to a flexible mounting portion, whichmounts the flexible back exfoliator to the surface of a washing area.

Another embodiment could be a flexible back exfoliator generallycomprising an exfoliating means for the general loosening and removal ofcontaminants from at least a portion of the back; a microorganism growthinhibitor means for generally resisting the growth of microorganisms;and a flexible mounting means for generally attaching the flexible backexfoliator to a non-planar surface of a washing area.

Another embodiment could generally be a method of using a flexible backexfoliator generally comprising of the following steps, not necessarilyin the order shown, generally attaching the mounting portion to theexfoliation pad; generally flexing the mounting portion and exfoliationpad to generally conform to one or more contours of a surface; andgenerally attaching the mounting portion to a surface having one or morecurves.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of onepossible embodiment of the present invention so that the detaileddescription that follows may be better understood and contributions ofthe present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of theembodiments of the present invention may not include all of the featuresor characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described below andwill form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and to the arrangement ofthe components set forth in the following description or as illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of one possibleembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is substantially an elevation cutaway view of one possibleembodiment of the invention in use in a bathtub.

FIG. 3 is substantially an elevation cutaway of one possible embodimentof the invention in a compact state.

FIG. 4 is substantially a flow chart for one possible embodiment of aprocess for using the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the following embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the one possible embodiment of thepresent invention could generally comprise a flexible back exfoliationdevice (or exfoliator), generally indicated by reference number 20, forexfoliation of at least a portion of the operator's skin that isgenerally not easily reached by the operator, generally indicated byreference numeral 200, such as the operator's back 202 or a portion ofthereof. The flexible back exfoliator 20 could generally comprise aflexible mounting portion, generally indicated by reference number 30, aflexible exfoliation pad, generally indicated by reference number 50,and a flexible locking device, generally indicated by reference number70, which reversibly attaches the flexible mounting pad 30 to theflexible exfoliation pad 50. Due to its generally flexible nature, theflexible back exfoliator 20 may be attached to portion(s) of the surface12 of a washing area 10, wherein one or more portions may be generallyconsidered as being non-planar in that portions may be curved, theportions may be planar but lie in one or more planes, or combinationsthereof.

The flexible mounting portion 30 could be used to reversibly attach theflexible back exfoliator 20 to the surface 12 of the washing area 10.Such a washing area 10, could include, but not necessarily be limitedto, shower facilities, bathtubs 14 and other possible bathingfacilities. Shower facilities 16 could include, but not necessarily belimited to, a single shower stall containing at least one showerhead(not shown), a shower area containing multiple shower heads (e.g., agymnasium showering facility) or any other showering system. Asgenerally shown in FIG. 2, the flexible mounting portion 30 attaches theflexible back exfoliator 20, to a surface 12 that may have one or morecurved portions such as found in a bathtub 14. The flexible backexfoliator 20 (e.g., its components) could also be flexed to match andattach to one or more non-planar surfaces 12 (e.g. generally flat orplanar surfaces).

The flexible mounting portion 30 could at least comprise a flexiblepolymer pad 32 with two sides 34, a first side 36 and second side 38.The first side 36 could generally provide one or more attachment devices40 for reversibly securing the flexible mounting portion 30 (hence, theflexible back exfoliation device 20) to a surface 12 of a washing area10. The attachment device 40 could be seen as being flexible andgenerally adhesion-based, in that it could be, in at least in oneembodiment, one or more flexible suction cups 42. In such an embodiment,the suction cup(s) 42 could be generally integral with the first side 36(e.g., similar in construction to that of an anti-skid mat that isapplied to the bottom of a bathtub, a shower and the like to prevent abather from slipping and falling in such areas).

In another embodiment, the attachment device 40 could generally be oneor more flexible pads of low adhesion adhesive (not shown) that aregenerally attached or otherwise made captive to the first side 36. Inthis manner, the exposed portion of the low adhesive pad (not shown)could generally make it possible for the mounting portion 30 togenerally reversibly attach to a portion of a surface 12 of a washingareas 10 that is generally too irregular or too rough so as to interferewith the attachment capabilities of the suction cup(s) 42.

The second side 38 of the mounting portion 30 could support one or moreflexible locking device(s) 70 to generally assist in the reversibleattachment of the secondary side 60 of the flexible exfoliation pad 50and second side 38 of the flexible mounting portion 30 together.

The exfoliation pad 50 could generally comprise a liquid permeableflexible envelope 52 containing a flexible absorbent pad 54. Theenvelope 52 could generally have two sides, a primary side 58 and asecondary side 60. The secondary side 60, in conjunction with thelocking device 70, could provide for the general attachment of theexfoliation pad 50 with the second side 38 of the flexible mountingportion 30. In at least one embodiment, this attachment is generallyreversible. The primary side 58 could generally provide for an abrasivecontact with the skin of the operator 200 for the actual exfoliation.This abrasive contact could be provided by having the envelope 52 madeout of perforated or mesh-like material. In at least one embodiment,this mesh-like material may be obtained from Apex Mills Corporation, of168Doughty Blvd, Box 960670, Inwood, N.Y. 11096-0670.

The pad 54, in at least one embodiment could generally be absorbent soas to generally store and dispense liquids such as soap, skin oils, skinconditioners and the like. In addition, the pad 54 could generally holdand dispense water to generally assist in the removal of thecontaminants. The pad 54 could also be generally constructed togenerally resist microbial growth to limit the noticeable intrusion intothe pad 54 of mold, bacteria, mildew and the like. The pad 54 could alsobe constructed to have various indentations and folds to aid inenhancing its flexibility. In at least one embodiment, the pad 54 couldbe an open cell polyether foam, which could be obtained from E.N. MurrayCompany, 707 Umatilla street Denver, Colo. 80204-4225.

Locking device 70 could be one of several flexible attachment mechanismsknown in the art. In at least one embodiment, the flexible lockingdevice 70 could generally be hook and loop. In such an embodiment, atleast one loop pad 72 and at least one corresponding hook pad 74 couldgenerally be used. For example, a hook pad 74 could generally beattached to second side 38 of the flexible mounting pad 30 while itscorresponding loop pad 72 could generally be attached to the secondaryside 60 of the exfoliation pad 50. In this manner, at least oneembodiment could use several such combinations of hook pads 74 and theircorresponding loop pads 72 as a locking device(s) 70.

As shown in FIG. 3, in at least one embodiment, the flexible backexfoliator 20 could also be fitted with one or more straps 80 forgenerally assisting in holding the flexible back exfoliator 20 in acompacted state for storage, travel and the like. In at least oneembodiment, the strap(s) 80 could generally be attached proximate to theedges of the mounting portion 30, the exfoliator pad 50 or both. Thestrap(s) 80 could generally be wrapped around a folded flexible backexfoliator 20 and subsequently tied to hold the folded flexible backexfoliator 20 into its folded (e.g., rolled) compact state for storage(e.g., stowage), transport and the like.

As generally shown in FIG. 4, one possible embodiment for the process,generally indicated by reference numeral 100, for operating the flexibleback exfoliation device 20 could compromise of a step 1, readying theflexible back exfoliator 20. Step 1 could include actions such asunwrapping any strap(s) 80 binding the flexible back exfoliator 20together and then unfolding the flexible back exfoliator 20 from afolded state of storage. Once step 1 is completed, the process 100 couldthen proceed to step 2, determination of attachment of flexibleexfoliation pad 50 to the flexible mounting pad 30.

This step 2, determination of the attachment of flexible exfoliation pad50 to the flexible mounting portion 30, could include the generaldetermination of whether the second side 38 of the flexible mounting pad30 was properly attached to the secondary side 60 of the flexibleexfoliation pad 50 through use of the flexible locking device 70. If theanswer is no, then the process 100 could generally proceed to step 3,the securing of the exfoliation pad 50 to the flexible mounting portion30. If the answer is yes, then the process 100 could generally proceedto step 4, the securing the flexible exfoliation device 20 to thesurface 12 of washing area 10.

At step 3, the securing the flexible exfoliation pad 50 to the flexiblemounting portion 30, the operator could undertake those actions whichcould result in the proper attachment or securing of the second side 38of the flexible mounting portion 30 to the secondary side 60 of theflexible exfoliation pad 50. For example, when the flexible lockingdevice 70 comprise a hook and loop pad(s), the operator could be seen asorienting the flexible mounting portion 30 to the flexible exfoliationpad 50 so that the hook pad(s) 74 will correctly line up with theirrespective loop pad(s) 72. The operator could generally then press theflexible mounting portion 30 to the flexible exfoliation pad 50 so thatthe hook and loop pads 74, 72 generally properly engage one another toreversibly secure the flexible mounting portion 30 to the flexibleexfoliation pad 50. After generally completing step 3, the process 100could generally proceed to step 4, the securing the flexible backexfoliator 20 to the surface 12 of washing area 10.

Step 4, the securing the flexible back exfoliator 20 to the surface 12of washing area 10, could generally include conforming or flexing atleast a portion of the assembled flexible back exfoliator 20 (e.g., theflexible mounting portion 30) to one or more contour(s) or shape(s)(e.g., curve[s], non common plane areas) of the surface 12 of thewashing area 10. If one or more contours of the surface 12 have a curvedportions, then the operator could generally flex the flexible backexfoliator 20 (and hence, the flexible mounting portion 30, flexibleexfoliation pad 50, and flexible lock device [s]) to match the one ormore curved portions of the area 12. After flexing the flexible backexfoliator 20, or if the area 12 did not require such flexing, thenoperator could place (after suitable wetting the area 12, if suctioncups 42 are used) the first side 36 of the flexible mounting pad 30against the area 12 to suitably and reversibly engage the attachmentdevice(s) 40 with the surface 12 of the washing area 10. After step 4 isgenerally completed, the process 100 could proceed to step 5, thepreparation of the flexible back exfoliation device 20.

Step 5, the preparation of the flexible back exfoliator 20, couldinclude the placing (e.g., the holding) quantities of one or moreliquids into the pad 54 to be dispersed during exfoliation. Theseliquids could include, but necessarily be limited to, water, soap, skinconditioners, skin treatment oils and the like. After completion of step5, the process 100 could proceed to step 6, the exfoliation.

Step 6, the exfoliation, could include actions such as wetting (andpossibly soaping) at least a portion of the operator's back 202, thenpressing and rubbing that portion of the back 202 against the primaryside 58 of the flexible exfoliation pad 54. After rubbing the selectedportion of the back 202 to exfoliate it, the operator could rinse offthe portion of the back 202 with water or other suitable liquid. In thismanner, the operator can be seen as disassociating (e.g., loosening andthe like) contaminants (dead skin cells and the like) from the back 202and then removing (e.g., washing away) the dissociated contaminants fromthe back 202. After completion of step 5, the process 100 could proceedto step 7, the cleaning of the flexible back exfoliator 20.

Step 7, the cleaning of the flexible back exfoliator 20, could includethe removal of the flexible back exfoliator 20 from the area 12. Thisremoval could further continue with the separating of the mountingportion 30 from the exfoliation pad 50 and the cleaning of these twoparts. After this step 7 is completed, the process 100 could generallyproceed to step 8, the storage of the flexible back exfoliator 20.

Step 8, the storage of the flexible back exfoliator 20, could includethe disassembly of the flexible back exfoliator 20 as necessary orotherwise desired. The flexible back exfoliator 20 either assembled orunassembled) could then can be placed (e.g., folded, rolled or the like)into a compact state (e.g., compacted). If strap(s) 80 are provided,then they can be used at this point to hold the flexible backexfoliation device 20 into its compacted state. After step 7 isgenerally completed, the process 100 can generally return to step 1,readying the flexible back exfoliation device 20 as needed or desired.

CONCLUSION

As the above description demonstrates, the flexibility of inventionallows it to be applied to one or more non-planar surfaces as well asbeing easily adjusted for the heights of different users. The inventionmay also be easily removed and applied to other surfaces for use indifferent wash areas. Although the description above contains manyspecifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope ofthe invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of thepresently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope ofthe invention should be determined by the appended claims and theirlegal equivalents rather than by the examples given.

1. A flexible back exfoliator comprising: (A) a flexible mountingportion, the flexible mounting portion comprising at least two sides,first side and second side, the first side having one or more attachmentdevices for reversibly attaching the back exfoliator to a surface of awashing area; (B) the flexible exfoliation pad, the flexible exfoliationpad comprising of an absorbent pad encapsulated by liquid permeableenvelope, the liquid permeable envelope having at least a primary sideand secondary side, the primary side provides for abrasive contact withskin of the operator; the secondary side being reversibly attached to athe second side of the flexible mounting portion and (C) a flexiblelocking device, the locking device reversibly attaches the second sideto the secondary side.
 2. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 1 whereinthe mounting portion, exfoliation pad and locking device can be flexedto match one or more non-planar portions of the surface of the washingarea.
 3. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 2 wherein the one or moreattachment devices of the mounting pad is flexed to be applied to thenon-planar portions.
 4. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 1 whereinthe absorbent pad has microbial growth resistant properties.
 5. Aflexible back exfoliator of claim 3 wherein the absorbent pad is used todispense one or more items of a set of items consisting of soap, skinconditioners, water, skin oils.
 6. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 1wherein the surface of the washing area includes a surface of a bathtub.7. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 1 wherein the attachment deviceuses adhesion for attachment to the surface of the washing area.
 8. Aflexible back exfoliator of claim 7 wherein the attachment device is asuction cup.
 9. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 1 wherein theflexible mounting portion is a pliable two-sided mat with one or moresuction devices on one side of the mat.
 10. A flexible back exfoliatorof claim 1, wherein the flexible back exfoliator can be placed into acompact state.
 11. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 1, wherein theflexible back exfoliator further compromises of at least one strap toretain the back exfoliator in its compacted state.
 12. A method of usinga flexible back exfoliator comprising of the following steps, notnecessarily in the order shown: a) providing a flexible back exfoliatorcomprising a flexible exfoliation pad connected to a flexible mountingportion; b) conforming the flexible back exfoliator to one or morenon-planar portions of a surfaces of a washing area; c) attaching theflexible mounting portion to a surface of a washing area; and d)contacting at least a portion of the operator's skin with at least aportion of the flexible exfoliation pad;
 13. A method of using anexfoliator of claim 12 further comprising of resisting the growth ofmicroorganisms.
 14. A method of using an exfoliator of claim 12 furthercomprising of removing the flexible back exfoliator from the surface ofthe washing area.
 15. A method of using an exfoliator of claim 14further comprising compacting the flexible back exfoliator.
 16. A methodof using an exfoliator of claim 12 wherein the attaching the mountingportion to a surface further includes placing the mounting portion atposition respective to the height of the back are of the operator.
 17. Aflexible back exfoliator comprising: a) An exfoliating means for theremoval of contaminants from at least a portion of the back area ofoperator, the exfoliating means further comprising: i) an abrasive meansfor scrubbing at least a portion of the back area; ii) a microorganismgrowth inhibitor means for resisting the growth of microorganisms; iii)an absorbent means for holding and dispensing liquids; and b) a mountingmeans for attaching the flexible exfoliating means to a surface of awashing area; the mounting means further including an adhesion means forreversibly attaching the mounting means to the surface; and c) a lockingmeans for reversibly attaching the exfoliating means to the mountingmeans.
 18. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 17 wherein the surfacemay have one or more portions that are non-planar.
 19. A flexible backexfoliator of claim 17 wherein a locking means, the mounting means,abrasive means, the adhesion means, absorbent means, and the lockingmeans are flexible.
 20. A flexible back exfoliator of claim 17 furthercomprising a strapping means for holding the flexible back exfoliator ina compacted state.